Finally SXSW is in its overwhelming stage. Prior to the third day (Thursday, March 15) it was relatively easy to just get into a line, wait 10 to 15 minutes and be in a venue awaiting a performance. Now that is not the case.

During the day not much was going on. I skated to the Omni Hotel and spoke with rapper Le1f about Pokemon and his growth as an artist, which was fun. After that I went to mtvU's annual Woodie Awards where artists Joey Bada$$, Pusha T, Atlas Genius and others were scheduled to perform.

The Woodie Awards were an all-day thing (for the most part). Doors opened at 1:30 p.m., performances began a 2 p.m. and ended around 10 p.m.

Throughout the day mtvU workers catered to attendees by handing out free bags of Doritos, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, drinks and barbecue from the Salt Lick.

The barbecue was incredible, mostly because it was free and I had not eaten all day. I ate quickly and went to the photo area of the event to take some pictures, and watch Joey Bada$$'s performance.

Joey Bada$$ is a capable rapper but I feel he has yet to fully grow into a live performer. There were moments during his performance where key rhymes should have been recited but were not, and his charisma could have been better. Towards the end of his set he improved, bringing out his Pro Era collective for a live rendition of "Survival Tactics." This was nice; fans were brought up onstage and Bada$$ jumped into the crowd.

Following Bada$$ was Timeflies who are the epitome of frat-rap, or "music-I-would-only-listen-to-when-I-am-trying-to-shotgun-multiple-beers".

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(Side note: to "shotgun" a beer is to insert a decent-sized hole around the bottom of a beer can, put your mouth to the hole, pop the can open and chug the beer until it's done.)

It's easy to see why people responded to Timeflies so well. Musically, they're a combination of everything that is popular: dubstep drops, four-on-the-floor dance beats, pro-drinking choruses and cliche lyrics. Of course the younger, college-aged demographic was into it, but so were the adults.

Trust me I enjoy having a good time and I often find myself enjoying artists that rely on cliches (Taylor Swift!). But Timeflies utilizes it to the point to where it's just bland and only really enjoyable when you're in a party-hard environment.

Fortunately, time did fly during Timeflies, which segued into a performance by rapper Pusha T.

Seeing Pusha T live was amazing. He's probably one of the most charismatic rappers I have seen during SXSW. With medium-length dreadlocks dangling with his jumps, Pusha began his set with the "I Don't Like" remix. Although newcomers know Pusha for his association with record label G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha veterans have been supporting the rapper since his Clipse days. (Clipse is a hip-hop duo that comprises Pusha and his brother, No Malice.)

Most of his performance featured stuff from G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, and Pusha's latest mixtape, Wrath Of Caine. The latter release is somewhat plain and does not really leave an impression on record. But live those songs come to life.

After Pusha T I briefly watched Haim's set (a sister trio that specializes in alternative new wave and were really good) and ventured to venue The North Door to catch rapper A$AP Ferg.

The event where Ferg and many other New York-based rappers were scheduled to perform, was hosted by hip-hop radio host Peter Rosenberg. Rosenberg deserves kudos for possibly having one of the best showcases I have seen so far.

Rap artists Flatbush Zombies and Mr. Muthafu**in Exquire put on great performances before Ferg took the stage. Ferg and his posse were so energized that the entire crowd was jumping. Water was thrown, speakers were kicked over, people crowd-surfed--Ferg's show, aesthetically, was more punk than it was rap. He ended his set with "Work" which basically led to double the chaos I just described.

Having time to spare before a few other notable artists would take the stage, I ventured to Club 119 to try and catch Katie Got Bandz. Instead, what I received was a pretty good performance from Chicago rapper King Louie, and two pictures of California-based rappers, Lil' Debbie and Domo Genesis.

I immediately traveled back to The North Door and caught the hip-hop group I wanted to see most last night--The Underachievers.

The Underachievers are so good live. The duo, comprised of rappers Issa Dash and AK, are a nice blend of '90s age jazz-rap, and modern-day rap. Lyrically, the two create rhymes centered around psychedelic drug use and spirituality. Yes, it is very interesting to hear rappers talk about experimenting with mushrooms and acid, but it is more so a component to their worldly views on life, than it is a commodification.

Their set was short (AK's voice was giving out and he was sick) but still incredible.

With aching legs I made my way to the Marriott Hotel in downtown Austin, met up with a friend and headed to my apartment. Day three was complete.

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